Q&A with Nicky (Thrasher) Adams

August 23, 2013

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Courtesy: Texas A&M Athletics

(photo: Texas A&M Athletics)

This Q&A is brought to you by the Texas A&M Lettermen's Association

Founded in 1974, the Lettermen’s Association was created to provide a means for former students who won Varsity Letters at Texas A&M to gather from time to time and support the University’s athletic programs. Today the Association is one of the most visible and well-respected organizations in the University System, with active members spanning nearly 70 class years and representing all intercollegiate sports.

As a member of Aggie squads that won the Big 12 championship in 1997 and Big 12 Tournament titles in `97 and 2001, Adams finished her career near the top of virtually every Aggie offensive category. She is one of the program's most decorated players of all time.

Following a professional career with the Atlanta Beat of the Women's United Soccer Association, she took a job with the Rice soccer program in January 2003 and was promoted to head coach on November 15, 2010.

Nicky begins her third season as the head coach of the Owls this fall.

"I had such an incredible experience playing soccer at Texas A&M."

Why did you choose Texas A&M? “I am originally from El Paso and really wanted to get away from Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. I was fortunate enough to receive a great soccer scholarship offer to attend Texas A&M. Once I got to know the coaches and know the potential of the program I was sold. Best decision I made! Even though I stayed in Texas it was still 12 hours away from El Paso and completely different than the desert!”

What is your greatest memory from your time with the Aggies? “Gosh I have so many...I had such an incredible experience playing soccer at Texas A&M. One game that always stuck out to me was in 1999 playing at Kentucky to get to the Sweet 16. We won that game in overtime but I remember it was back and forth and it was such a great win for our program on the road against a very good Kentucky team. My senior game in 2001 was one I will never forget as we played Oklahoma State. I scored in the first 11 seconds of the game and ended up with a hat-trick in the first 11 minutes of the game.”

You were on the first soccer team that made it to the Elite 8. Can you describe what that was like? “It was bittersweet for me. Amazing to get that far in the tournament, but very sad because that completed my athletic career at A&M. Expectations were set for our program that year and it is great to see that the current A&M teams battle every year to get closer to the Final Four.”

Tell us a little bit about your experience on ESPN’s show Sidelines... “Sidelines was a very interesting experience. Not very many people get their college soccer season documented so it was very special. I thought it represented our program very well and what Texas A&M Soccer is all about. It truly showed what a tight-knit group we were and just how hard we fought for each other to win the Big 12 Tournament and make it to the Elite 8. Also my husband, Charlie, was a big part of my life during that time and it is special that we can go back and relive those fun moments together!”

What was your hardest transition after school? “The biggest transition for me after school was playing professional. It was a completely different environment than the college environment. Soccer became very much a business and that was one way I had never viewed the game of soccer. Making that move was difficult, but I learned a heck of a lot. Then going from player to coach was another big transition. Not being able to just jump in and play was pretty difficult.”

What is one bit of advice you would offer younger athletes as they are finishing up school? “Live in the moment while you are there...it goes by so fast. You can’t work hard enough or long enough. Give it your all, and have zero regrets.”

How has the Aggie Network impacted you? “Thanks to the Aggie Network I met my husband at A&M! Charlie Adams, Class of '02, was a javelin thrower on the Track & Field Team. We have been married for eight years!”